Federal Jury Convicts Nine additional Antifa Members for Terrorist Attack on Prairieland Detention Center
Sentencing by U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman, a Trump appointee, is set for later in 2026, with Song facing up to life in prison, the seven others up to 60 years, and Sanchez-Estrada up to 40 years.
Tommy Flynn
A federal jury in Fort Worth, Texas, convicted nine individuals linked to Antifa on March 12, 2026, for their roles in a violent ambush at the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado during a July 4, 2025, anti-deportation protest.
Benjamin Song, identified as the ringleader, was found guilty of attempted murder and firearms offenses. Seven co-defendants—Autumn Hill (aka Cameron Arnold), Zachary Evetts, Savanna Batten, Meagan Morris (aka Bradford Morris), Maricela Rueda, Elizabeth Soto, and Ines Soto—were convicted of rioting, explosives-related charges, and providing material support to terrorists. Daniel Rolando Sanchez-Estrada, absent from the scene, was convicted of concealing evidence.
Seven additional defendants—Nathan Baumann, Joy Gibson, Rebecca Morgan, Seth Sikes, Susan Kent, Lynette Sharp, and John Thomas—previously pleaded guilty to providing material support to terrorists, facing up to 15 years each.
The attack unfolded on the night of July 4, 2025 outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility. Protesters created a distraction with fireworks, graffiti, and spray-painting vehicles in the parking lot before opening fire with semiautomatic rifles, wounding a police officer in the neck. The group, recruited at gun ranges and combat sessions, targeted officers in an ambush. Evidence included 11 recovered firearms, including AR-15-style rifles, body armor, handheld radios, first-aid kits, and a flag reading "fight oligarchy" and "resist fascism."
This marks the first U.S. terrorism prosecution against accused Antifa supporters, following President Donald Trump's September 2025 designation of Antifa as a domestic terrorist organization.
Attorney General Pam Bondi stated, "Today's verdict on terrorism charges will not be the last as the Trump administration systematically dismantles Antifa and finally halts their violence on America's streets." FBI Director Kash Patel added, "Today's verdict shows the FBI remains committed to identifying, locating, and dismantling Antifa and its funding networks across the country."
Sentencing by U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman, a Trump appointee, is set for later in 2026, with Song facing up to life in prison, the seven others up to 60 years, and Sanchez-Estrada up to 40 years.